LaserTalk is used to visually communicate with a large group of people with the simple push of a button. Instead of texting all of your friends in a conventional way, this project allows the user to use one light to communicate a message to a large group. In this way, the user will be able to catch the eyes of their audience, instead of using something they might be immune to. Using multiple lasers allows the user to make different patterns and project different messages depending on their needs.  The basic system is composed of four line lasers, a switch, a 3-D printed body, and two AA batteries. The dynamic version of this system uses a microcontroller to turn the various lasers on and off in precise timing patterns to create moving symbols or even sequentially displayed letters to create words.

This project solves the problem of locating friends after school. It started out as a paper tube with a cut out “M” covering it placed on a flashlight.  This would cast a shadow of the letter on the wall as a sort of signal that person “M” is around -- similar to the bat signal of the well-known character Batman.   

As different needs for the project came up, it evolved into a more compact and sophisticated laser system embedded in a 3D-printed case. Another thing that was necessary to add to the system was a button. It was put into the circuit with the laser wires. Another important thing to figure out was the size of the holes needed to place the lasers into. Many different sizes worked, but the project needed holes big enough so the lasers could be twisted, yet tight enough so that they would stay in place.

An Arduino microcontroller was added  to show how the project could be taken further  to produce dynamic symbols with moving parts, or even sequentially displayed letters.